Gospel Green Brut 2016

Elegant, refined and wine-like, Gospel Green Brut 2016 is a wonderful sparkling cider made using the traditional method in Hampshire, England. Crisp and gentle, this wonderful cider is a great choice for any celebratory moment, and whilst I risk having my Italian citizenship revoked for saying this, I even prefer it to prosecco.

Gospel Green Brut 2016 at glance

  • Region: Hampshire, England
  • Alcohol: 8.4%
  • Style: Sparkling, traditional method, dry
  • Vintage: 2016
  • Apple varieties: blend of culinary apples
Gospel Green Brut 2016 in a glass

Cider flavour profile

  • See: rich gold and light amber tones, transparent and with visible carbonation
  • Smell: crisp fruits and toasted brioche
  • Taste: bone dry (brut), with elegant moussy bubbles, high acidity and medium-low tannins; intense notes of toasted brioche, green apples, and a hint of elderflower; medium long finish

Notes from the producers

“Made from a blend of the finest English dessert apples, Gospel Green uses the “champagne method” to produce a delicious and sophisticated sparkling cider. 

Aromatics of elderflower, brioche and green apples. Crisp with light acidity and a slight earthiness coming through on the palate. Smooth with a rounded finish with a long last tasting mousse. Perfect with poultry, pork, cheeses and desserts.”

Tasting Notes on Gospel Green Brut 2016

Gospel Green Brut is truly a revelation to me. This traditional method cider is nothing less short of a refined champagne style wine, and equals (and often betters) many Italian spumante wines I have tried in my life. Using the champagne ‘traditional method’, Gospel Green has created a drink far closer to wine than any other cider I have ever tasted,  and in doing so created something that can easily replace any bottle of bubbles.

Strong notes of toasted brioche elegantly tickle your nose as you approach the glass, continuing to spill across your palate at the first sip; notes of green apples and elderflower provide depth, and elevate this sparkling brut cider with a harmonious complexity.

Gospel Green Brut 2016 cider detail

Gospel Green is a pioneering cider maker in Hampshire, England, using the traditional (champagne) method to make cider since 1990. I have to admit that I was incredibly curious when I received this from the Pommelier Club, and this bottle has surpassed my expectations. 

Here are some notes from the Pommelier Club:

“A perfect balance of soft, creamy acid and gently, grippy astringency. There are notes of mineralogy and stone fruit all the way through the finish. Hints of green apples and toasted brioche can be found on the finish. The bubble consistence lasts the glass and is light and delicate in the mouth.”

In case you want to try this cider for yourself, explore Gospel Green shop, where there are other wonderful vintages available.

Food pairing

Great cider for multiple celebratory occasions, at any point. Amazing for aperitifs or with light appetizers, but also wonderful with any dish that requires bubbles and acidity as palate cleanser. Given this cider’s similarity to premium champagne, I recommend trying Green Gospel Brut 2016 with an unctuous, oozing brie or camembert, or with a creamy dessert such as tiramisu or trifle.